Chapter 1609
Chapter 1609: Section 1610: Phantom Deer
Irene arrived during the month of drizzling rain, which is already more than a month ago.
In other words, around the time Allen arrived at the Sky Mechanical City, Irene had also arrived almost simultaneously.
However, Allen never saw Irene. He had been thinking all along, maybe Irene hadn't arrived or perhaps… she never took part in the Star Contest at all.
If not for Angel's help this time, Allen would have had no clue that Irene had gone missing.
“What's most important is that Irene disappeared in the Sky Mechanical City. At the time she went missing, I had actually already started asking around for information about Irene.”
“But there was no news of her back then, and now more than a month has passed, is there still a chance to find her?” Allen's voice grew more despondent as he spoke, and his eyes bore an indelible sadness.
Angel watched the dejected Allen, and sighed softly in his heart.
He understood Allen's feelings; if he had gone to great lengths to search for Irene upon his arrival at the Sky Mechanical City, perhaps he might have found some clues about her. But now that more than a month had passed, seeking her whereabouts had become increasingly difficult.
“Did Moro not come looking for Irene?” asked Angel.
Allen answered, “It was half a month ago when Irene's friend returned to White Coral Floating Island Academy, they told Grandpa the news. During this period, he had been saving up Magic Crystals, hoping to find a Prophet Wizard to predict Irene's location, and only a few days ago did he save up enough money to seek a prophecy.”
However, the number of Prophet Wizards is not many. White Coral Floating Island Academy only has one Professor Angler, but Professor Angler has gone to Crown Star Church to practice, so he could only find a Prophecy Apprentice, a disciple of Professor Angler.
Of course, even if Angler were still here, the money Moro saved would probably not be enough to hire him.
“That Prophecy Apprentice took the Magic Crystals, but didn't manage to predict anything,” Allen said, and as he spoke, he placed his hand on his forehead, his face filled with anxiety and despair: “Grandpa Moro said he would come to the Sky Mechanical City to continue the search for Irene, but I told him not to bother, that I would do the searching myself. But where should I even start looking?”
Allen's eyes reddened, on the verge of tears.
Although it has been years since he last saw Irene, their bond hadn't dwindled with time and distance. Any chance he got, Allen would contact Irene using various methods, even if it was just a message brought by someone else, it would make Allen happy for days.
This time, before Felicia went to Black Castle, she asked Allen to stay at the Candy House to practice, but knowing Irene would participate in the Star Contest, Allen risked defying his mentor's orders and reluctantly followed Kavoline and others to the Sky Mechanical City.
But now, as the Star Contest was nearing its end, not only had he not seen Irene, but he was also confronted with this dreadful news.
Allen is usually a carefree food-lover, such sorrowful emotions were something Angel had never seen before in him. Irene was his friend after all, and after some thought, he said: “Here's what we'll do. The Star Contest finals are happening in a couple of days. Once the finals are over, I'll return to Barbarian Cave. Then, I'll ask a friend who is very skilled in prophecy to help check on Irene's situation for you.”
In the absence of any clues, Angel couldn't afford to waste time engaging in a futile effort, but after returning to Barbarian Cave, asking Dororo to check on Irene's whereabouts is still possible.
Allen looked at Angel gratefully, understanding very well that Angel reaching out to Glenn for help was already a generous gesture, and now, willing to seek a Prophet Wizard for assistance, he was deeply thankful.
“I'll pay for the prophecy,” said Allen.
Angel casually nodded, knowing that asking Dororo for a prophecy likely wouldn't cost money. But Angel was very aware that in an age where people's hearts change, the things that are given for free are often not valued enough.
“I think the prophecy might not be necessary,” suddenly, Glenn spoke up to Allen: “Let me help you look for her. Since she disappeared in the Sky Mechanical City, it's impossible for there to be no trace at all.”
Allen looked at Glenn, surprised; he had never thought Glenn would help him.
Actually, Glenn himself had not considered helping Allen either, but…
Glenn glanced at Angel out of the corner of his eye. Since even Angel was willing to put effort into helping Allen, it indicated that their relationship must be fairly good. By helping Allen, maybe he could bridge the gap with Angel.
Not to mention that Angel was his idol, just Angel's status alone was worth the effort to win over.
“I really appreciate it,” said Allen. He couldn't find Irene mainly because he wasn't looking in the right places. Glenn, however, had lived in the Sky Mechanical City from childhood and could be considered a true local tyrant, and he was also an “official” figure, so his assistance might actually lead to a clue about Irene's whereabouts.
Glenn said indifferently: “Don't worry, whether there's news or not. Within two days at most, I will give you an answer.”
After that, Allen began to tell Glenn about Irene's situation.
Previously, Glenn only looked for Irene within the confines of the New Stars competition, where knowing her nickname sufficed. But now, planning to cast a wider net, he certainly needed Irene's appearance.
Angel also used the method of illusions to help Glenn retain an image.
Angel flew towards the Infinite Tower.
On the way there, he still pondered the matter of Irene's disappearance.
By a twist of fate, they had once left Pat Manor together in a carriage, entering into the unpredictable Wizards' Realm. Had things gone smoothly, according to the original script, they might have entered the White Coral Floating Island Academy together, embarking on their brand new lives. Although in the end, the trajectories of their fates diverged, Angel sincerely hoped that whether it be Allen, Irene, or himself, each one could survive in the Wizards' Realm.
Now, all he could do was wait and hope for good news from Glenn.
Time flew by quickly, and another semifinal match was about to begin.
“Devil Gourmet VS Phantom Deer”
For this match, Angel's interest was actually not as great as when watching Onassis compete. The reason he came was primarily due to the sudden emergence of this “Devil Gourmet” Asaz.
For this reason, he didn't come as a special guest judge to watch the match but sat next to Greya in the audience to view the competition. He didn't know much about the culinary field, and if he wanted to understand the foundation of this Devil Gourmet, Greya was undoubtedly the best channel.
When the two contestants entered the stage, what Angel noticed first wasn't the somber Asaz.
Instead, it was “Phantom Deer” Trom.
Trom wore a hat with antlers and dressed in deer hide clothes, looking less like a wizard and more like a hunter from a frigid area.
His face still had traces of youthful innocence, showing that he was not very old, probably around fifteen years of age. To have come this far at such an age indicated that his abilities were not to be underestimated.
However, the reason Angel noticed Trom was not his age.
After Serum's match with Evening Pear had ended, when Angel was leaving, he had been watched by a pair of resentful eyes. Those eyes had such a significant presence that Angel turned his head to look.
He found that the owner of those resentful eyes was a young man wearing an antlered hat.
Now it seems, it was this “Phantom Deer” Trom.
Angel didn't know this Trom, nor did he understand why he had looked at him with such a resentful gaze. However, there was a very familiar feeling in the energy fluctuations emanating from Trom, but Angel couldn't immediately recall where he had sensed similar fluctuations before.